The German Federal Supreme Court Refuses Parody Trademark

In the past, I have criticized an Israel Patent Office decision relating to Tigris, to treat all big cats the same – see here.

Now, the IPKAT has reported that the German German Federal Supreme Court (Bundesgerichtshof) has refused to allow a parody of Puma’s famous mark shown below.

I note that the USPTO had the good sense to allow South Butt which is a parody of North Face, and think that parodies are fun and where there is o likelihood of confusion, should be allowed on grounds of free speech. It seems that the German judiciary has a less well developed sense of humour.

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